ROSELH · Reactive Oxygen Species and the Evolution of Life Histories

The target of this proposal is ageing and its association with reproduction, immunity and behaviour. This is an area of biology that has intrigued every generation since Aristotle (c. 300 BC). We assess how free radicals (reactive oxygen species), so often identified as factors of ageing and immune disorders, exert selection on living organisms and whether resistance (and defence) towards free radicals may drive evolution of ageing in the wild. In particular, we study (i) how free radicals, the defence systems associated with them and the reproductive and the immune system interact to shape life history trade-offs, (ii) how free radicals impact on survival in the wild and, (iii) how epigenetic factors such as maternal hormones contribute to the formation of behavioural phenotypes (personalities) with different free radical profiles. This project integrates field studies and laboratory experiments using two uniquely suited model species (the Australian Painted dragon lizard and the zebra finch) and combines them with state-of-the-art molecular techniques to investigate variation in free radical production and defences. In spite of excellent work in the laboratory, this is one of the first attempts to study free radicals in the 'real world' and will extend Europe’s excellent reputation in evolutionary biology.